The Numbers That Don’t Add Up
If you’ve been following Halifax real estate reports, you’ve probably heard numbers that sound incredible: 78% of new listings in August sold. That paints a picture of a red-hot market where homes are flying off the shelves.
But step back for a second. Does that number really match what you’re seeing in your neighbourhood? Homes sitting on the market for months. Price reductions. Expired listings. The feeling that things aren’t quite as “hot” as they appear.
Here’s the problem: the way our industry reports stats is fundamentally flawed. We’ve been doing it wrong for years.
What the Headline Numbers Show
Let’s start with the official reporting style.
August 2023: 476 new listings, 394 sales = 82% sold
August 2024: 424 new listings, 345 sales = 81% sold
August 2025: 500 new listings, 388 sales = 78% sold
At first glance, these numbers look rock solid. Year after year, more than three-quarters of what’s listed sells. It makes for a great story.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
But here’s the catch: the sales reported in any given month aren’t necessarily tied to the listings that came on that same month. In fact, most of them aren’t.
Take August 2025 as the example:
Halifax started the month with 969 homes already on the market, averaging 81 days unsold.
Add in 500 new listings, and the total available inventory was 1,469 homes.
Out of those 500 fresh listings, only 89 actually sold.
Total sales for the month were 388.
When you measure properly, that means just 26% of available inventory actually sold. Not 78%. Not 81%. Twenty-six.
That’s a staggering difference — and it explains why sellers are feeling frustrated when their homes sit unsold despite all the glowing reports.
Why This Matters for Halifax Sellers
For sellers, especially at the higher end of the market, this distinction is critical. A property can look like it’s in a “strong market,” but if three-quarters of the homes are sitting, you need to approach pricing and positioning with far more precision.
Consider this: in August, 307 homes reduced their price. That’s over 20% of the available listings cutting value to attract buyers.
So what is actually selling? The data is clear:
Homes in great locations
Properties priced at market value (not above it)
Listings with strong presentation (staging, photography, marketing)
Average time on market for those sales: 37 days
The Deed-Transfer Tax Problem
Layered on top of the inventory issue is Nova Scotia’s controversial deed-transfer tax. Currently, non-residents buying in Nova Scotia pay an additional 10% property transfer tax. When you add this to the standard transfer costs, the total balloons to 11.5% on a $2 million property.
That’s hundreds of thousands of dollars — enough to stop many buyers in their tracks.
Here’s a real scenario: an Ontario couple wants to buy a retirement property in Halifax to secure it before they’re ready to move. The house is perfect — next door to friends, exactly what they want. But with the deed-transfer tax, the deal becomes financially impossible.
Policies like this disproportionately affect high-end homes. And when only 26% of the total market is selling, it raises a serious question: should the Nova Scotia government rethink how this tax is structured?
A staggered system could make more sense — for example:
Homes under $600,000 could still trigger the additional tax for non-residents (helping protect affordability).
Homes over $600,000 could be exempt, allowing the higher-end market to breathe again.
Without adjustments, Halifax risks locking out serious buyers and leaving luxury listings sitting.
Why You Won’t Hear This on Social Media
Most agents are still posting the surface-level numbers. “Look! 78% sold!” It sounds great in a Facebook post, but it doesn’t help sellers understand what’s really happening.
The truth is more complicated. Yes, homes are still selling — but not nearly at the pace the headlines suggest. Sellers deserve the full picture, not just the highlight reel.
What Sellers Need to Do Right Now
If you’re considering selling in Halifax, here’s the takeaway:
Price at market value — not “testing the waters” high.
Invest in presentation — staging, professional photos, detailed marketing.
Work with an agent who understands the real numbers — not just the glossy version.
Prepare for patience — only one in four homes is selling, so positioning is everything.
Final Word: Don’t Be Fooled by the Headlines
The Halifax real estate market isn’t collapsing, but it’s also not the picture-perfect success story social media makes it out to be. With only 26% of homes selling in August 2025, pricing and strategy have never been more important.
👉 If you’re thinking about selling your Halifax home — whether it’s a starter property, a family home, or a high-end listing — let’s talk. I’ll give you the unfiltered truth, the right strategy, and the marketing power to make sure your home doesn’t become part of the unsold majority.
Call Sandra Pike, REALTOR® with The Pike Group at Royal LePage Atlantic today. Let’s turn the numbers in your favour.
